Why do Canadian workers feel underpaid?

Why do Canadian workers feel underpaid? | Smart Association - COPA

A big group of Canadians workers feel they are not being paid enough in their current jobs, a recent poll by Robert Half revealed.

While as much as 51% of professionals holding positions across accounting and finance, technology, legal, creative, and administrative fields said they are paid fairly, almost half (47%) claimed that they are being underpaid. The remaining two per cent, on the other hand, feel that they are being overpaid by their employers.

Robert Half president for International Staffing Operations, Greg Scileppi, said sentiments of being under-compensated are often due to issues from employers like failing to benchmark salaries and understand local pay rates.

Such sentiments are also due to word of mouth — some employees discover other better-paying opportunities from recruiters or from friends who have recently changed roles.

"As competition for skilled workers intensifies, companies are under more pressure to keep pace with hiring demands and shifting candidate expectations," he said.

For Scileppi, employers should be able to be in the know of the local salary and workplace trends. For instance, a web developer in Ontario may not have the same pay rate as those in Saskatoon.

"Flexible compensation packages that incorporate the benefits, perks and incentives that professionals value most are key to attracting highly capable workers and building the strong teams companies need to support evolving business needs," he said.